Borders have reopened to tourists from visa-waiver countries, but everyone else must wait a few more weeks.

A pond in Taiwan’s Alishan National Forest Recreation Area. (Photo: Y S/Unsplash)

A potential end to border restrictions in Taiwan flagged last week has just been confirmed, with Premier Su Tseng-chang officially announcing that mandatory quarantine will be dropped for all arriving travelers on October 13. Taipei will also lift restrictions on inbound and outbound tour groups, and more than double the weekly cap of arriving passengers from the current 60,000 to 150,000 on that date. Anyone with a valid visa can then enter the country for sightseeing; arrivals will be allowed to take public transportation from the airport to their chosen accommodation for seven days of self-monitoring.

Taiwan’s “0+7” model is less restrictive than the newly launched “0+3” scheme in Hong Kong, as returning residents and visitors will not be barred from eating in restaurants and other mask-off activities in public during the health monitoring period. However, a negative rapid antigen test result within two days is required should they wish to go out during the first week. Otherwise, a rapid antigen test will only be required on the day of arrival, and also if the person shows symptoms of Covid-19 thereafter.

New border rules are taking effect today: Taiwan has raised the weekly cap of arriving passengers by 10,000 and restored full reciprocal visa exemptions to passport holders of 11 more countries, including Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. On September 12, visa-free status was reinstated for citizens of 54 mostly Western nations. On-arrival PCR tests have now been scrapped. Instead, four rapid antigen test kits will be handed out to each incoming traveler aged two and older. Until October 13, all overseas arrivals must self-isolate for three days either at home or in a designated quarantine hotel, followed by four more days of health monitoring.